3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Amount of Detail and Very Readable, May 11, 2005
This review is from: Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History (2 volume set) (Hardcover)
I don't know when I last picked up an encyclopedia and read it cover to cover, but I did this one. It was truly fascinating in its depth and understanding. I spent more time on Volume One, Chemical and Biological Weapons because I know less about them than the Nuclear Weapons covered in Volume Two.
I can't swear that the information in Volume One is totally accurate, but the information in Volume Two is dead on. And therefore I have to presume that Volume One is the same.
The books cover everything from the earliest experiments and incidents to very recent data. There are hundreds of entries, each written by a specialist in that particular area. The entries on World War II alone cover an amazing amount of material that simply isn't generally known.
This includes things like the Japanese Unit 731, the Porton Down research establishment in England, the production in the United States of 150,000 tons of chemical warfare agents as well as bacterial warfare agents containing some pretty nasty things like Cholera, Anthrax.
Another tidbit that I didn't know -- The strain of Anthrax used in the 2001 incidents was one produced at Texas A&M for the US Army researchers. As I said, my knowledge in this area is weak. So perhaps this was more commonly known, but it was a surprise to me.
On the nuclear side virtually everything is covered from the first design work in World War II to the North Korean Nuclear Weapons Program's announcements in 2002.
If I have to pick out anything wrong with these books, it would be that I noticed one or two typos. And of course, I would like to see even more included, a good report on the SL-1 reactor accident for instance, the biggest (non-bomb) radiation leak in the US. To be sure you can find out about this on the web, and where do you stop when your book is already over a thousand pages.
Very highly recommended.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top Notch: Young Adult Reference, December 30, 2004
This review is from: Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History (2 volume set) (Hardcover)
Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, 2 volumes by Jeff Larsen, James Wirtz, Eric Croddy (ABC-CLIO) (1-85109-495-4 On-line e-book, see publisher)
The first accessible reference to cover the history, context, current issues, and key concepts surrounding biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons.
The United States has conducted some 900 atomic tests since 1945 and has stockpiled enough smallpox vaccine to inoculate most of the U.S. population. The topic of weapons of mass destruction is perhaps the most controversial subject of our time. Policy debates require understanding of key issues, concepts, and events.
A collection of information on everything from aerosols to zones of peace, these two volumes cover historical background, technology, and strategic implications of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons, thus providing facts, terms, and context needed to participate in contemporary policy debate. This encyclopedia is the only comprehensive reference dedicated to the three types of weapons of mass destruction.
With over 500 entries arranged alphabetically, volume one covers biological and chemical weapons, while volume two focuses on nuclear weapons. Experts from eight countries cover issues related to these weapons, policies, strategies, technologies, delivery vehicles, arms control concepts, treaties, and key historical figures and locations. Entries are written to make difficult concepts easy to understand by cutting through military and scientific jargon. Students, lay readers, scientists, and government policy makers are provided with the broad range of information needed to place today's policy discussions in proper strategic or historical context.
Title Features
Over 500 A-Z entries written by 95 international experts, organized in two volumes divided by types of weapons
Timeline that covers leading political, military, and weapons-specific events since 1945
Excerpts from key international documents
Combined index (with volume numbers noted) at the end of each volume
Includes numerous illustrations and photographs
Highlights
The only comprehensive reference of policies, events, places, technical terms, and historical context regarding weapons of mass destruction
Volumes organized by like weapons so each can be used independently to study the topic or weapon of particular interest
Alphabetical listings and combined indexing in each volume provide an increased ability to browse and quick access to specific entries
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